Golden Hill By Francis Spufford

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Arrival

20170515

New York, a small town on the tip of Manhattan Island, 1746.

After a long voyage from London, Mr Smith is anxious to disembark. His business is both pressing and mysterious.

Francis Spufford's novel abridged in ten parts.

One rainy evening, a charming and handsome young stranger, fresh off the boat from England, pitches up to a counting house on Golden Hill Street, with a suspicious yet compelling proposition.

He has an order for £1,000 in his pocket that he wishes to cash. But can he be trusted?

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Read by Jamie Parker

Francis explains: 'Golden Hill i

Walking

20170516

November 1746. Fresh off the boat in the small but bustling town of New York, Smith takes a walk along the Broad-Way, but he is not unobserved.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

Fresh off the boat in New York, Smith takes a walk along the Broad-Way.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Visit

20170517

5 November 1746, New York - a small town on the tip of Manhattan Island.

Tea at the house on Golden Hill with Tabitha Lovell proves revelatory. Elsewhere, Pope Day is celebrated with bacchanalian gusto

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

5 November 1746, New York. Smith pays a visit to the Lovell's house on Golden Hill.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Awakening

20170518

Safe in Septimus's residence in the Governor's Fort, Smith has a disturbed sleep.

Troubled by what he discovers, he is forced into a confrontation with his host.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

After the excitement of the night before, Smith has a rude awakening.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Chief

20170519

After the dinner to celebrate the king's birthday, the chief justice holds forth while playing cards.

Septimus is a captive audience.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

Smith is invited to play a game of cards with New York's chief justice.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Detained

20170522

Detained in the New York debtors prison, Smith writes to his father and reflects on his experiences so far.

His cellmate is a more immediate cause for concern.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

Smith writes to his father from the debtors prison where he has been detained.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Surprise

20170523

A surprise appearance at breakfast leads to an apology for Smith, and an invitation to dinner.

Meanwhile the agreed time for Lovell to honour the bill has nearly arrived.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

A civilised breakfast is interrupted by an unkempt surprise guest.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Question

20170524

The play was a triumph, and amidst the cast celebrations, Smith still has a question for Septimus.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

Smith and Septimus relax after a triumphant performance of the play.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Arrest

20170525

The duel did not end well and now Smith has been arrested for murder.

An unlikely witness for the prosecution steps forward in court.

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

A devastating accident has occurred and Smith finds himself in court.

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Resolution

20170526

The purpose behind Smith's voyage to New York becomes clear.

But he has one final matter to resolve...

This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble.

Francis Spufford's novel concluded by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

The true nature of Smith's quest becomes clear. But is it all as it seems?

Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Arrival	20170515	New York, a small town on the tip of Manhattan Island, 1746. After a long voyage from London, Mr Smith is anxious to disembark. His business is both pressing and mysterious. Francis Spufford's novel abridged in ten parts. One rainy evening, a charming and handsome young stranger, fresh off the boat from England, pitches up to a counting house on Golden Hill Street, with a suspicious yet compelling proposition. He has an order for £1,000 in his pocket that he wishes to cash. But can he be trusted? This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Read by Jamie Parker Francis explains: 'Golden Hill i
02	Walking	20170516	November 1746. Fresh off the boat in the small but bustling town of New York, Smith takes a walk along the Broad-Way, but he is not unobserved. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. Fresh off the boat in New York, Smith takes a walk along the Broad-Way. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
03	Visit	20170517	5 November 1746, New York - a small town on the tip of Manhattan Island. Tea at the house on Golden Hill with Tabitha Lovell proves revelatory. Elsewhere, Pope Day is celebrated with bacchanalian gusto This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. 5 November 1746, New York. Smith pays a visit to the Lovell's house on Golden Hill. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
04	Awakening	20170518	Safe in Septimus's residence in the Governor's Fort, Smith has a disturbed sleep. Troubled by what he discovers, he is forced into a confrontation with his host. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. After the excitement of the night before, Smith has a rude awakening. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
05	Chief	20170519	After the dinner to celebrate the king's birthday, the chief justice holds forth while playing cards. Septimus is a captive audience. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. Smith is invited to play a game of cards with New York's chief justice. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
06	Detained	20170522	Detained in the New York debtors prison, Smith writes to his father and reflects on his experiences so far. His cellmate is a more immediate cause for concern. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. Smith writes to his father from the debtors prison where he has been detained. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
07	Surprise	20170523	A surprise appearance at breakfast leads to an apology for Smith, and an invitation to dinner. Meanwhile the agreed time for Lovell to honour the bill has nearly arrived. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. A civilised breakfast is interrupted by an unkempt surprise guest. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
08	Question	20170524	The play was a triumph, and amidst the cast celebrations, Smith still has a question for Septimus. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. Smith and Septimus relax after a triumphant performance of the play. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
09	Arrest	20170525	The duel did not end well and now Smith has been arrested for murder. An unlikely witness for the prosecution steps forward in court. This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel read by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. A devastating accident has occurred and Smith finds himself in court. Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.
10	Resolution	20170526	The purpose behind Smith's voyage to New York becomes clear. But he has one final matter to resolve... This is New York in its infancy, a place where a young man with a fast tongue can invent himself afresh, fall in love, and find a world of trouble. Francis Spufford's novel concluded by Jamie Parker Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. The true nature of Smith's quest becomes clear. But is it all as it seems? Francis Spufford's rollicking historical novel set in 18th-century New York.